When setting out to learn about a new topic, a well-tested
practice is to follow the traditional “5Ws and the H”: Who?, What?,
When?, Where?, Why?, and How? – and to use the corresponding specialized
library resources: biographical dictionaries, subject catalogs, chronologies,
and gazetteers. The digital environment is still weak in providing an effective
counterpart of the traditional reference library. The purpose of this project
is to show how existing and emerging standards and protocols can be used or
adapted to support learners with respect to What? Where? When? and Who? A client
interface with links to existing specialized resources will be created for teachers
seeking additional resources to supplement textbooks; and for contextualizing
objects in library and museum collections by identifying the objects in other
collections that are most closely related. This project should increase the
ability of libraries and museums to support a nation of learners and pave the
way for a greater return on the large investment made in library and museum
collections. Funded in part by an Institute of
Museum and Library Services National Leadership Grant for Libraries, award
number LG-02-04-0041-04, Oct 2004 - Sept 2006.